School Education
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The North East Water School Education program is designed to educate students on the journey of our water from the catchment to the tap, and from the tap back into the catchment. We explore the concepts of where our water comes from, how we use our water every day, raw water and wastewater treatment, reuse, and how we can use water more sustainably today and for the future.
The program offers a diverse number of activities and resources for in and out of the classrrroom. Including Treatment Plant tours, the coordination of events including the North East Schools' Student Environmental Days, National Water Week, region-specific Resources and assistance with Whole school planning to introduce water into school curriculum.
For all your inquiries on the North East Water education program, please get in contact with the North East Water Education Officer. Information regarding our Education Officer visiting your staff to show resources, demonstrate activities from our VELs linked Water Units and more is also available.
The North East Water School Education program consists of:
School Resources & Events
North East Water works in close partnership to provide resources for our regional schools to incorporate water education into your school curriculum. These include:
- Tapping into Catchments
- School Environment Education Directory (SEED) north east
- Professional Development Days
- North East Schools Student Environment Days
- Wet, Wild and Wonderful
- Water - Learn It! Live It!
- School Water Efficiency Program (SWEP)
- Savewater
- The North East Waterwatch Program
The Tapping into Catchments program is a joint initiative of North East Water (NEW) and the North East Catchment Management Authority's (NECMA) Waterwatch program. The aim is to provide teachers in North East Victoria with the tools and resources for planning school curriculum. The program will introduce students to the concept of water and our catchment.
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Tapping into Catchments is designed to be flexible and can be adapted to suit your school and classroom needs. We offer a number of diverse activities both in and out of the classroom, engaging students from Prep to Grade 10. The program incorporates the School Environment Education Directory (SEED) north east, Waterwatch and North East Water activities, regional events and school development and planning.
For more information contact the North East Water Education Officer or click here to download Tapping into Catchments resource.
The School Environment Education Directory (SEED) north east
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The School Environment Education Directory (SEED) north east has been developed to help teachers integrate teaching sustainability into their everyday practices. The web-based directory is a one-stop-shop for teachers and students to easily access regional, state, national and global resources related to water, biodiversity, waste, sustainability and energy.
North East Water and North East Waterwatch have developed the SEED water units using practical strategies to encourage thinking in the classroom and linking each activity directly to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS). The SEED water units can be used as a whole unit of work or as separate units. Each unit follows on from the previous to give students the necessary background information and therefore a greater understanding of water in our natural and built environments. Each unit has interactive inquiry-based teachings, activities and comprehensive step-by-step lesson plans.
The North East SEED water units can be used as a whole unit of work or as separate topics. They consist of the following topics:
Unit 2 Water Catchments
Unit 3 Water Quality
Unit 4 Water Treatment
Unit 5 Water Use & Conservation
Unit 6 Wastewater Treatment
Unit 1 Water Cycle
Unit 2 Catchments
Unit 3 Water Quality
Unit 4 Water Comes, Water Goes Booklet
Unit 4 Water Treatment & Distribution
Unit 5 Water Use
Unit 6 Water Conservation
Unit 7 Wastewater Treatment
To access the SEED water units and for all your enquiries go to the SEED website: www.necma.vic.gov.au/seed or contact the SEED Project Manager on seed@nevrwaste.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 5722 9232.
Professional Development for Educators
North East Water in partnership with SEED and Waterwatch hold a number of Professional Development opportunities throughout the year. These events enable our regional teachers, educators and principals to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to incorporate water education and the SEED program into their school's curriculum.
SEED in partnership with the Department of Education and Early Childhood (DEECH) has organised a series of Environment E-Learning sessions.
This series uses the Elluminate software. As a participant you are able to communicate directly to the presenter using your microphone and/or 'chat room' type facilities. While the presentation is happening you view the slides and may see the presenter talking via webcam. Questions will be answered. Each session is recorded to use in your classroom or to share with other teachers.
'Tapping into Catchments' was a joint presentation by Caz Humby (NECMA Waterwatch) and Diane Doyle (NEW). This session was recorded on September 8th 2009. It overviews what is available regarding water education in the North East of Victoria.
For more information on the Professional Development Days contact:
The SEED Project Manager
Phone: (03) 5722 9232
Email: seed@nevrwaste.vic.gov.au
The North East Water Education Officer is also available to provide support to staff at school and cluster meetings.
Student Environment Days
The SEED Project Manager, Waterwatch and North East Water coordinate the Student Environment Days (SED) in the North East in partnership with our regional Councils and Shires, and other Natural Resource Management and regional education programs. The Student Environment Days are held four times a year at various locations throughout the catchment.Open to all Grade 5 students in the region, the event provides a fun-filled day that informs students of the number of environmental themes and issues relevant to our region.
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- 11th March 2010 Yarrawonga
- 20th May 2010 Mansfield/Benalla
- 29th July 2010 Wangaratta
- 21st October 2010 Yackandandah
The day comprises workshops incorporating water, waste, biodiversity, Indigenous culture and energy. Students from participating schools rotate through a maximum of four workshops throughout the day.For more information on the participating organisations and workshops being run, please go to the SEED website.
The Student Environment Days run from 9.45am through to 2pm and encourage students to participate in a Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge on the day. The schools with the least amount of rubbish will be presented with a prize for their class or school.
Due to the number of schools in the North East, student places are limited for each event, so please book early. Please contact the SEED Project Manager for more information and to book in your school.
Wet, Wild and Wonderful
Wet, Wild and Wonderful is an activity booklet available for primary school students. Developed by North East Water and the North East Catchment Management Authority's Waterwatch program, the Wet Wild and Wonderful resource book assists teachers with their water quality, water treatment and water conservation curriculum delivery.
Meet mascots Pat and Pinchy, who introduce students with the many and varied aspects of water use and water care. The resource book is designed to create a learning environment that embraces integrated curriculum principles, field and classroom based activities, fun, interaction and local relevance.
As most of the information from this resource has been incorporated into the SEED Water Units copies of the booklet are no longer available. If you wish to find our more information on the Wet, Wild and Wonderful resource book, please contact the North East Water Education Officer.
Water Learn It! Live It!
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Developed by Melbourne's Government owned metropolitan water businesses - City West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water, Water - Learn it! Live it! is a resource for primary and secondary teachers that aims to provide interactive and fresh ideas for encouraging learning about water related issues. The resource allows the exploration and discussion of water supply and treatment, water use and conservation, and water recycling in a local, national and global context.
The hard copy resource has been delivered to all North East Victorian schools. If your school would like a copy please contact the North East Water Education Officer or for more information please go to:www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/education/water-lili
School Water Efficiency Program (SWEP)
In 2005 in response to the ongoing drought, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) committed $3 million through the Victorian Government's Our Water Our Future program to develop and implement the Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP).
Mandatory for all Victorian Government schools, SWEP involves an indoor water audit of the school site and the development of a water efficiency report outlining works by level of priority (three levels) to improve water efficiency.
A key element of the program is that schools can elect to pay all costs associated with the program through a 'Payment by Savings' plan, allowing schools to offset the cost of the program with savings generated on their water and energy bills. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) is supporting Government schools to participate in the program by funding the audit component of the program.
For more information on the SWEP, please contact the SWEP Program Manager:
Water and Energy Savers (Vic) Pty Ltd (WES)
Replay Paid 83212
Suite 3, 1-3 Rooks Road
Nunawading Victoria 3131
Ph: 1300 727 599
Fax: (03) 9873 5155
Email: swep@vic.water.net.au
Web: www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/education/swep
Savewater
Savewater provides an extensive array of information on water saving products, water conservation practices, competitions and resources.
The savewater web-based game, Mission H20 is a great resource for students and teachers. The game allows students to learn how to save water in the house and garden in a fun and interactive medium.
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Students and teachers can easily access all the savewater information by simply going to the website: www.savewater.com.au
The North East Waterwatch Program
North East Waterwatch is based at the North East Catchment Management Authority in Wodonga and is part of a National Community water quality-monitoring program that has been operating since 1993.The Waterwatch program aims to:
- Increase community awareness and understanding of water quality issues;
- Increase community involvement in water management decisions;
- Encourage collaborative action between the community and natural resource managers; and
- Generate useful data for community and agency use.
Waterwatch brings together community groups, schools, landholders, local councils and water corporations. It is a great way for people to link with each other, share discoveries, compare findings and build a picture of the health of waterways across the North East region.
Through Waterwatch, groups are supported and encouraged to become actively involved in local waterway monitoring and on-ground action through a number of activities, including:
- Water quality monitoring
- Macro-invertebrate surveys
- Monthly activities
Contact the Waterwatch team for more information:
Phone: (02) 6043 7600
Fax: (02) 6043 7601
Email: waterwatch@necma.vic.gov.au
Web: www.necma.vic.gov.au/ourprograms/waterwatch
Events
North East Water coordinates and participates in a number of regional events to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable water use and our regional water supply. This includes:
National Water Week
National Water Week (NWW) was first held in 1993. The week is designed to promote the need to take action to protect and conserve our precious water resources and habitats. The third week in October is designated as 'National Water Week' each year. During the week Australians are encouraged to 'Protect, Conserve and Get Involved' in water-related activities and celebrations around the country.
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As part of NWW, Waterwatch and North East Water hold the annual National Water Week primary school poster competition, in which students are asked to create posters out of any material conveying the message 'Securing Our Water Future' or any other water related issues. Entries are to be sent into North East Water where they will be judged locally. Regional winners in each category will be sent to Melbourne to be judged at a State level.
Last year we had 229 entries from across the catchment. We received so many great entries it was hard to judge the winners. Congratulations go to the following regional poster competition winners who each received a goodie bag filled with books, drink bottle, stickers, colouring-in pencils, showertimer, toilet leak tester, ruler and much much more.
1st Place Winners
- Year 5 & 6 - Amy Whitehead, St Monica's PS, Wodonga
- Year 3 & 4 - Caitlin Ferraro, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
- Year 1 & 2 - Caterina Miranda, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
- Prep - Indigo Jones, Harrietville PS
2nd Place Winners
- Year 5 & 6 - Chris Welsh, St Joseph's PS, Benalla
- Year 3 & 4 - Chloe Trevena & Michaela Humphries, St Joseph's PS, Benalla
- Year 1 & 2 - Charlotte Erickson, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
- Prep - Kipp Adams, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
3rd Place Winners
- Year 5 & 6 - James Thompson, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
- Year 3 & 4 - Lauren Torpey, St Bernard's PS, Wangaratta
- Year 1 & 2 - Miaka Barrett-Hasset, Harrietville PS
- Prep - Thomas Waddington, Cathedral College, Wangaratta
Entries are now open for the 2010 poster competition.
Download the poster competition information here.
Download the entry form here.
For more information on NWW go to the Australian Water Association (AWA) website: www.nationalwaterweek.org.au
World Water Day
World Water Day was declared by the United Nations as a day to focus on water and sanitation issues around the world. Held in march every year, World Water Day aims to raise awareness of the water and sanitation problems faced by more than 1 billion people, and offers us all the opportunity to do something about the situation.
The 22nd March 2010 is World Water Day. This year's theme is "Communicating Water Quality Challenges and Opportunities".
For more information on World Water Day go to www.worldwaterday.net or contact the North East Water Education Officer to find more on what is happening in the North East.
Treatment Plant Tours
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North East Water treatment plant resources are available through the School Environment Education Directory (SEED) north east website: www.necma.vic.gov.au/seed. The SEED water treatment units (Level 3 & 4) developed by North East Water align with VELS and use inquiry learning strategies and the North East Water 'Water comes, water goes!' resource book. For more information on how to undertake the units please go to the SEED website or contact the North East Water Education Officer.
To book in for a Treatment Plant Tour download the Treatment Plant Tour Policy; and fill in the required Booking Form. North East Water only permits students from Grade 3 and above to take treatment plant site tours. For more information on Treatment Plant Tours contact the North East Water Education Officer.
Contact
For more information on the North East Water Education Program please contact our Education Officer on:
PO Box 863
Wodonga, Victoria 3689
Level 1, Hovell Street
Wodonga, Victoria 3690
General: 1300 361 622
Direct: 02 6022 0580
Email: education@nerwa.vic.gov.au